Characteristics of the Work Environment of Magnet Hospitals and Job Satisfaction among Nurses in Japan: A Cross-Sectional Study Using Multi- Level Analysis
Background: The Magnet hospital is a recognition system in the US having a low turnover and high retention of nurses and providing a high quality of patient care. We sought to examine the effect of characteristics of the work environment of Magnet hospitals on nurses’ job satisfaction using multi-level analysis in hospitals in Japan. Methods: We distributed anonymous self-administered questionnaires in August 2011 to all nurses via the directors of the nursing departments of four private hospitals. The response rate of nurses was 91%; 373 completed questionnaires in 21 wards were used for analysis. The questionnaire items addressed basic attributes and employment characteristics, the Japanese version of the Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index (PES-NWI) for assessing characteristics of the work environment of Magnet hospitals, and a job satisfaction scale. We conducted multi-level analysis to examine effects of the PES-NWI sub-scales at both the individual and ward levels on nurses’ job satisfaction. Results: Results of the multi-level analysis for nurses’ job satisfaction showed that a full model which included the sub-scales of the PES-NWI at both the individual and ward levels was the most appropriate model. Additionally, coefficients of ward-level values showing significant relationships with job satisfaction were greater than those of individual-level values. At the individual level, all sub-scales of the PES-NWI except for “nurse participation in hospital affairs” showed positive relationships with nurses’ job satisfaction, while at the ward level “nurse participation in hospital affairs” showed a significant positive relationship, and “nurse manager ability, leadership, and support of nurses” showed a significant negative relationship, with nurses’ job satisfaction. Conclusion: These findings suggest that while characteristics of the work environment of Magnet hospitals are important predictors, factors relating to cultural differences, such as decentralized department structures, might influence nurses’ job satisfaction at the ward level.
- Research Article
59
- 10.1111/jan.14512
- Sep 14, 2020
- Journal of Advanced Nursing
To examine relationships between components of nurses' work environments and emotional exhaustion, job satisfaction and intent to leave among nurses in Saudi Arabia. A descriptive correlational study with cross-sectional data. Data were collected in 2017 from 497 Registered Nurses working in a large tertiary hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Participants completed an online survey like that used in RN4Cast studies to measure nurses' perceptions of their work environments and nurse outcomes. Hierarchical linear regression and logistic regression were conducted to examine the relationships between components of nurses' work environments and nurse outcomes after controlling for nurse and patient characteristics. Nurse participation in hospital affairs was uniquely associated with all three nurse outcomes, whereas staffing and resource adequacy was associated with emotional exhaustion and job satisfaction, but not intent to leave. These two variables were also the components of the nursing practice environment that received the lowest ratings. Nurse manager ability, leadership and support of nurses, and nurse-physician relationships were associated with job satisfaction only. A nursing foundation for quality of care was not uniquely associated with any of the three outcomes. Finally, nurse emotional exhaustion and job satisfaction fully mediated the relationship between nurse participation in hospital affairs and intent to leave. Magnet-like work environments in Saudi Arabia are critical to recruiting and retaining nurses in a country with critical nursing shortages. This study addresses a gap in the literature regarding which components of the nurses' work environment are uniquely associated with emotional exhaustion, job satisfaction and intent to leave among nurses in Saudi Arabia. Study results will assist Saudi hospital administrators and nurse leaders to develop recruitment and retention strategies by focusing on those work environment components most associated with nurse outcomes: participation in hospital affairs and staffing and resource adequacy.
- Research Article
28
- 10.5294/aqui.2020.20.3.8
- Sep 7, 2020
- Aquichan
Objective: This study aims to validate the Portuguese version of the Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index (PES-NWI) and assess construct validity through exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study validates the psychometric properties of the PES-NWI in Portugal. Exploratory factorial analysis is used to analyze the psychometric properties of the PES-NWI in a sample of 5,075 Portuguese nurses; the data sample covers all geographic regions in the country. Confirmatory factor analysis is performed to confirm the model’s data adequacy. Results: Factorial analysis explained 54.6 % of the variance and a five-dimension structure. The five factors identified were Nurse Participation in Hospital Affairs, Nurse Manager Ability, Leadership and Support of Nurses, Nursing Foundations for Quality of Care, Staffing and Resource Adequacy, and Nurse-Physician Relations. The confirmatory analysis showed that the five-factor model fit well with the data in the Portuguese context. Conclusion: In a Portuguese health context, the PES-NWI is a valid scale to access the nursing environment and improve working conditions.
- Research Article
60
- 10.1111/nicc.12737
- Dec 9, 2021
- Nursing in Critical Care
Recent studies in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) have shown that the increasing nursing turnover in the health care industry has become a great source of concern. The overdependence on the supply of expatriate nurses (74%) and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) travel restrictions have exacerbated this staffing issue. To examine the relationship between perception of nursing practice environment (NPE), job satisfaction and intention to leave (ITL) among critical care nurses working in the state of Ha'il in KSA. Cross-sectional correlational (observational) design. Data were collected via electronic online survey distributed to registered critical care nurses working in King Khalid Hospital (KKH), Ha'il, KSA, between July and August 2020. Participant demographics and key variables data related to NPE, job satisfaction and ITL respectively were collected from the participants using existing and validated questionnaires. Descriptive statistics and correlational analysis and multivariable analyses were conducted. A response rate of 98% was achieved (152/160) for the study. Findings showed that the NPE was largely favourable (M=2.89, SD=0.44); however, nurse participation in hospital affairs (M=2.83, SD=0.47) and staffing and resource adequacy (M=2.88, SD=0.47) scored lowest. NPE was found to be significantly correlated with job satisfaction (rs=.287, P < .01). A significant negative relationship was found between NPE and ITL (rs=-0.277**, P < .01). However, job satisfaction was associated with ITL (rs=-.007, P=.930). Maintaining a healthy work environment and job satisfaction levels in critical care units is key to improving, recruitment and retention of nursing staff. Critical care and hospital leaders should implement programs that enhance the quality of the practice environment. This will improve nurse participation in unit and hospital affairs, job satisfaction and intention to stay.
- Research Article
5
- 10.4103/ijnmr.ijnmr_87_22
- Nov 1, 2023
- Iranian Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Research
Background:Health care-Associated Infections (HCAIs) are among the most common adverse events (AEs) that can negatively affect both patients and health systems. The elderly is among patients at high risk for infections. Some controllable risk factors have received less attention in research. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the relationship between prevalence of HCAIs among elderly inpatients, job satisfaction of nurses, and working condition.Materials and Methods:This cross-sectional study was conducted on 211 nurses working in hospitals affiliated with Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, in 2021. The data were collected from HCAIs reports by the Nosocomial Infection Control Committee, a demographic questionnaire, the Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index (PES-NWI), and the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire (MSQ). The data were statistically analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient, ANOVA, t-test, and multiple linear regression (MLR) in SPSS 26.Results:The results showed that there was a significant relationship between the PES-NWI and MSQ (r = 0.68, p < 0.00). The MLR results indicated that staffing and resource adequacy, nurse participation in hospital affairs, job satisfaction, nursing manager's leadership, and nursing foundations for quality of care are predictive factors that these could explain 78% of the changes in the prevalence of HCAIs and the goodness of fit of the regression model was acceptable [F6.210 = 129.47, p < 0.001].Conclusions:Since job satisfaction and the work condition could predict HCAIs among the elderly patients, healthcare administers are recommended to consider these two variables in the development of HCAIs prevention and control programs.
- Research Article
68
- 10.1111/jocn.13270
- Jul 7, 2016
- Journal of Clinical Nursing
To explore the association between workplace bullying and workplace environment factors among nurses in Japan. Workplace bullying among nurses is increasing globally and occurs more frequently than among other professions. However, there is little information on the impact of workplace environment factors on nurse bullying in Japan. A cross-sectional survey using a self-administered questionnaire. Participants were 1152 nurses recruited at seminars or training courses outside of their workplaces in Tokyo. Workplace bullying was measured using the Negative Acts Questionnaire-Revised. Participants were considered to have been 'bullied' if they reported experiencing at least one negative act on a daily or weekly basis. Workplace environment factors were measured using the Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index, which comprises five domains: nurse participation in hospital affairs; nursing foundations for quality of care; nurse manager ability, leadership and support of nurses; staffing and resource adequacy; and collegial nurse-physician relationships. A total of 898 (78·0%) questionnaires were returned, of which 825 (71·6%) were analysed. Altogether, 153 (18·5%) nurses were considered 'bullied.' The three most frequent negative acts reported as occurring on a weekly or daily basis were 'someone withholding information which affects your performance' (6·7%), 'being exposed to an unmanageable workload' (4·4%) and 'being shouted at or being the target of spontaneous anger (or rage)' (3·6%). Logistic regression analysis indicated that 'bullied' were associated with low scores on two work environment domains: nurse manager ability, leadership and support of nurses and staffing and resource adequacy. Effective nurse manager leadership and support as well as appropriate staffing management may positively influence workplace bullying among nurses in Japan. Authentic leadership styles and allowing nurses to easily request days off might also be important. Nurse managers' leadership may influence nurses' workplace bullying.
- Research Article
20
- 10.1177/2165079919900796
- Jan 26, 2020
- Workplace Health & Safety
Background: Most of the previous studies on nursing practice environment and job burnout employed conventional analyses ignoring the impact of unit-level data clusters. This study addressed this gap by examining the effects of the nursing practice environments on dimensions of occupational burnout among a sample of Chinese nurses using multilevel logistic regression models and demonstrating the superiority of employing multilevel models over conventional models within this context. Methods: A proportionate stratified sampling method was applied in this cross-sectional study that invited 1,300 registered nurses (RNs) from nine clinical units of a large, academic hospital in urban China to complete the questionnaire. Nurse-reported information was obtained using the Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index (PES-NWI) and the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI). Findings: A total of 1,178 valid questionnaires were returned for a response rate of 90.62%. RNs generally perceived their nursing practice environment as favorable as measured by the PES-NWI. Approximately 40% of the respondents reported experiencing emotional exhaustion and depersonalization. The multivariate models indicated that nurse burnout was significantly associated with nurse participation in hospital affairs, nursing foundations for quality of care, and adequate staffing. In addition, our results illustrated the advantage of multilevel modeling over the conventional modeling for handling hierarchical data in terms of the accuracy of the estimates and the goodness-of-fit of the model. Conclusions/Application to Practice: These findings underscore the importance of measures aimed at enhancing nursing practice environments to prevent RNs from experiencing feelings of burnout and of considering multilevel analysis in future nursing research.
- Research Article
69
- 10.1111/inr.12529
- Jun 17, 2019
- International Nursing Review
To (1) examine the level and variability of nurse work environment and job satisfaction and (2) explore how nurse job satisfaction in tertiary hospitals in Oman is influenced by the nurses' characteristics and work environment. In Oman and the Middle East, a scarcity of research addressing nurse work environment and job satisfaction exists. Such evidence is necessary for policymaking to positively impact nurse job outcomes, and therefore, quality of care. We used a cross-sectional descriptive design employing a sample of 454 local and expatriate nurses who responded to a self-administered questionnaire. The work environment was favourable, and it positively correlated with job satisfaction. Nationality, education, hospital type, staffing, resources and participation in hospital affairs were significant predictors of nurse job satisfaction. The greatest amount of variation in nurse job satisfaction was explained by the work environment. The influence of work environment on nurse job satisfaction is greater than nurse characteristics and hospital and unit types. Enhancing nurse participation in hospital affairs and providing adequate staffing and resources are central means of establishing healthy work environments, which is an auspicious, cost-effective strategy for satisfying, and therefore, retaining nurses. To enhance nurse work environment and job satisfaction in Oman and the Middle East, nurse and health leaders need to consider developing work and professional regulations and adopting policies to promote staffing, resources, wages, and benefits for nurses and encourage their promotion and career advancement; and foster nurse participation in hospital affairs.
- Research Article
6
- 10.1016/j.healthpol.2024.105198
- Nov 8, 2024
- Health policy
Predictors of Croatian nurses' turnover intention: A cross-sectional study
- Research Article
2
- 10.1016/j.mnl.2019.08.003
- Oct 1, 2019
- Nurse Leader
Changing Culture to Drive Nurse Engagement and Superior Patient Experience
- Research Article
28
- 10.4414/smw.2012.13733
- Dec 21, 2012
- Swiss Medical Weekly
Magnet hospitals share nurse work environment characteristics associated with superior patient, nurse and financial outcomes. In Switzerland, however, it is uncertain how nurses appraise their work environments. To describe the quality of the nurse work environment in 35 Swiss acute care hospitals and to benchmark findings based on international Magnet hospital research. This study used two data sources: (1) the Swiss arm of the RN4CAST study; and (2) a structured literature review. Hospitals were categorised based on Magnet and non-Magnet data. Our outcome variable of interest was the quality of nurse work environment measured with the Practice Environment Scale of the Nurse Work Index (PES-NWI). We reviewed 13 American, Canadian, and Australian studies of acute-care hospitals. Three provided Magnet hospitals' nurse work environment data, and all included non-Magnet hospitals' data. Swiss hospitals' evaluations on nurse work environment quality varied widely, but 25% achieved scores indicating "Magnet nurse work environments". Swiss hospitals' average "Nursing manager ability" subscale scores fulfilled Magnet hospital criteria, although "Nurse participation in hospital affairs" and "Nursing staffing and resource adequacy" scores neared non-Magnet levels. On average, our results indicated high quality nurse work environments in Swiss hospitals. Implementing Magnet model organisational principles might be a valuable approach for Swiss acute-care hospitals to both improve mixed and unfavourable nurse work environments and to improve nurse and patient outcomes. National benchmarking of nurse work environments and other nurse-sensitive indicators may facilitate evaluating the impact of current developments in Swiss healthcare.
- Research Article
10
- 10.1111/jan.16752
- Jan 22, 2025
- Journal of advanced nursing
Job satisfaction and intention to leave have been consistently linked to the working environment. However, there are few studies of interventions for improving the environment or staff outcomes. To determine the impact of implementing a framework for safe nurse staffing on the environment and staff outcomes. This involved an assessment of required nursing hours per patient day, supernumerary nurse in charge and minimum 80:20 skill-mix, with intentional changes in staffing if required. A pre-post observational design. This was a prospective observational study in six medical and/or surgical wards across three acute hospitals in Ireland. The outcomes were measured pre- and post-implementation, and included the environment, using the Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index; and job satisfaction and intention to leave using a dichotomised 4-point scale. Changes in staffing levels, adjustments to skill-mix and the supervisory role of the ward leader were seen following the implementation. A multilevel model found significant increases over time on three of the five Nursing Work Index subscales: Staffing and Resource Adequacy, Collegial Nurse-Physician Relations, and Nurse Participation in Hospital Affairs. Job satisfaction increased and intention to leave decreased, although the differences were not statistically significant. Increased job satisfaction was significantly associated with Staffing and Resource Adequacy, Collegial Nurse Physician Relations and Nurse Manager, Leadership and Support. A decreased odds of intention to leave was associated with increased job satisfaction. There were significant improvements in the environment following the implementation of the Framework. Three of the practice environment subscales were significantly associated with job satisfaction, while job satisfaction is a predictor of intention to stay. This study indicates that intentional changes to staffing can result in improvements to working environments which may in turn have an impact on job satisfaction and furthermore, on intention to stay. This study investigated intentional changes to nurse staffing in medical and surgical wards, examining the impact pre- and post-implementation. This study underlined that when staffing is based on a systematic approach, based on a Framework for Safe Nurse Staffing, a subsequent improvement can be seen in staff's perceptions of the work environment, along with improvements in staff outcomes. This research will impact on staff working in acute settings as a means of determining staffing and improving outcomes using a Framework for Safe Nurse Staffing. STROBE checklist. No patient or public contribution.
- Research Article
- 10.1186/s12913-026-14309-4
- Mar 11, 2026
- BMC health services research
Favorable nursing work environments are associated with better outcomes and well-being, yet the COVID-19 pandemic intensified workload and stress in intensive care settings. This exploratory descriptive study examined associations between sociodemographic and work-related factors and nursing work environment scores among registered nurses and nursing technicians working in exclusive COVID-19 ICUs in 10 public university hospitals. An exploratory descriptive multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted between April and December 2021. The Portuguese version of the Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index (PES-NWI) was administered, along with sociodemographic and work-related items, which were analyzed as potential explanatory factors of work-environment perceptions. Data were analyzed using descriptive and comparative statistics (t-tests, Mann–Whitney tests, χ² tests). Reliability was assessed with Cronbach’s α. Of 996 eligible professionals, 431 responded (43.3%): 194 nurses (45%) and 237 nurse technicians (55%). Participants were predominantly female (78%) with a mean age of 40.9 ± 9.1 years. Technicians were older (42.3 ± 9.8) than nurses (39.2 ± 8.0; p < 0.001). Race/color distributions differed (White: nurses 58.8% vs. technicians 41.8%; Black: 37.6% vs. 57.4%; p < 0.001). Most received institutional COVID-19 training (80%) and reported feeling protected at work (71.7%). PES-NWI internal consistency was excellent (total α = 0.94). All subscale means exceeded 2.5; technicians rated four subscales— participation in hospital affairs, foundations for quality, staffing/resources, and nurse/physician relations —higher than nurses did, while leadership support showed no difference. The total PES-NWI score was higher for technicians (2.98 ± 0.60 vs. 2.83 ± 0.58; p = 0.013). Work environments in COVID-19 ICUs of Brazilian public university hospitals were generally perceived as favorable. Differences between categories likely reflect variations in job roles and expectations rather than causal effects. As an exploratory descriptive study, findings should be interpreted as associative and hypothesis-generating, supporting future research on equity, management practices, and workforce well-being in critical care.
- Research Article
11
- 10.1186/s12912-023-01261-5
- Apr 6, 2023
- BMC Nursing
BackgroundNurses’ work environment influences nursing practice. Inappropriate working conditions are the result of underdeveloped workplace infrastructure, poor work organisation, inadequate education, and inappropriate staffing norms. The aim of this study was to describe and examine the predictors that affect nurses’ work environment using the Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index (PES-NWI).MethodsThe validation of the PES-NWI was made. Nurse-reported job characteristics were used as independent variables. The sample included 1,010 nurses from adult surgical and medical units at 10 Slovenian hospitals. The Nurse Forecasting (RN4CAST) protocol was used. Permission to conduct the study was obtained from the National Medical Ethics Committee.ResultsThe PES-NWI mean (2.64) was low, as were job and career satisfaction at 2.96 and 2.89, respectively. The PES-NWI can be explained in 48% with ‘Opportunities for advancement’, ‘Educational opportunities’, ‘Satisfaction with current job’, ‘Professional status’, ‘Study leave’, and ‘Level of education’. A three-factor solution of PES-NWI yielded eight distinct variables.ConclusionsThe obtained average on the Nursing Work Index was one of the lowest among previously conducted surveys. Nurses should be recognized as equals in the healthcare workforce who need to be empowered to develop the profession and have career development opportunities. Inter-professional relations and equal involvement of nurses in hospital affairs are also very important.Trial registrationThis is a non-intervention study – retrospectively registered.
- Research Article
2
- 10.1186/s12912-024-01998-7
- Jun 6, 2024
- BMC Nursing
BackgroundThere is a substantial amount of literature on the perception of the practice environment and quality of care as perceived by registered nurses and community services nurses in South Africa and worldwide, but there is little to no research that could be found regarding other categories of nurses, and how these perceptions differ between the different categories. Therefore, the aim of this study is to describe the different nursing categories’ perceptions of the practice environment and quality of care and the association between the variables.MethodsThis study applied a cross-sectional survey design. Data were collected in April 2021 in the public sector of the North West Province. Multiphase sampling was applied to all categories of nurses who worked in an in-patient unit in the selected hospital for at least 3 months (n = 236).ResultsAll nursing categories perceived the practice environment as negative, regarding nurse participation in hospital affairs; nurse manager ability, leadership, and support of nurses and staffing and resource adequacy. Perceived quality of care and patient safety items were perceived as neutral and good. However, in all instances, the perceptions of community service nurses and registered nurses were most negative, and enrolled nurse assistants most positive. Adverse events towards patients and nurses were perceived to only occur a few times a year. Overall, nurse perceptions of quality of care and patient safety were most correlated with the subscale of nurse foundations of quality of care and nurse manager ability, leadership, and support of nurses. Adverse events towards patients were most correlated with the collegial nurse-physician relationship subscale, while adverse events towards nurses were correlated with the foundations of quality of care subscale.ConclusionImproving the practice environment, especially regarding the subscale nurse foundations of quality of care and nurse manager ability, leadership, and support of nurses, is associated with improved quality of care. Nurses with higher qualifications, registered nurses and community service nurses rated quality of care lower than other categories of nurses, contributing to literature that higher qualified staff are more competent to assess the practice environment and quality of care.
- Research Article
- 10.1200/jco.2006.24.18_suppl.6105
- Jun 20, 2006
- Journal of Clinical Oncology
6105 Background: Increased attention has focused on the role of hospital characteristics on cancer patient outcomes. We examined two cancer-specific credentials, as well registered nurse practice environments, on outcomes of care. Methods: Through secondary analysis of existing data from hospital claims, the tumor registry, and a statewide of survey of nurses (RNs), we studied 30-day mortality (D) and failure to rescue (death given a complication) (FTR) for surgical oncology patients treated in 164 Pennsylvania hospitals from 1998–1999 (N=24,618). We compared D and FTR rates by a hospital’s NCI cancer center designation, American College of Surgeon’s (ACoS) cancer program approval and categorized scores on the Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index (PES-NWI). The PES-NWI scales measure RN participation in hospital affairs, RN foundations for quality of care, nurse manager leadership/support, staffing/resource adequacy, and RN-physician relations. Multivariate logistic regression models examined predictors of D and FTR, controlling for 25 patient variables. Standard errors were corrected for patient clustering in hospitals. Results: NCI centers had lower D and FTR rates (p < .01). ACoS hospitals had lower D and FTR rates (ns). Hospitals with low scores on PES-NWI scales had the poorest outcomes (p < .01). In logistic regression models, significant predictors included unfavorable PES-NWI Scores for D (OR=1.32, 95% CI: 1.06–1.65) and FTR (OR=1.39, 95% CI:1.03–1.88), and NCI centers for D (OR=0.64, 95% CI: 0.50–0.83) and FTR (OR=0.67, 95% CI: 0.47–0.96). The NCI effect lost significance when environment was included. ACoS program effects were small (OR= 0.99, p = .90) for both outcomes. Conclusions: Favorable outcomes in NCI centers may be partly explained by practice environments. The practice environment of RNs significantly predicts surgical oncology patient outcomes, and should be a focus of quality improvement activities. No significant financial relationships to disclose.